"Sometimes, it's the smallest gestures that plant the seeds of the deepest connections, growing into something neither of them ever expected."

The soft rays of the sun crept through the curtains, warming the room where Vivaan and Roohi lay. The night had been peaceful, their bodies tangled in the blankets, their faces close in a moment of quiet comfort. Vivaan woke first, blinking slowly, his eyes softening as he realized how close they were. Roohi’s head was nestled on his chest, her breath even and serene. A wave of warmth settled over him as he looked at her, feeling something in his chest tighten.

He stayed still for a moment, not wanting to disturb the peace. His heart beat a little faster than usual, unsure of what exactly he was feeling. It was the first morning of their marriage, and yet everything felt both familiar and new. There was a strange comfort in knowing she was there, but also a sudden weight, as if this new chapter of their lives was unfolding, and he was unsure how to navigate it all.

Vivaan finally slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to wake her. His movements were slow, as if each step was part of a delicate dance he didn’t fully understand. As he stood, he felt an emptiness in his chest, a mix of longing and uncertainty that he wasn’t used to. He took a deep breath, shaking the feeling off, and moved toward the kitchen.

Roohi stirred a little, eventually waking to the faint scent of coffee. She stretched and yawned, then made her way to the bathroom to refresh herself. When she returned, she found Vivaan already there, the smell of fresh coffee filling the air.

"You didn't wake me up," Roohi said, her voice still thick with sleep as she walked into the living room.

Vivaan turned around, offering her a gentle smile, his eyes soft. "You looked so peaceful, and I didn’t have the heart to wake you up," he said, his voice quiet, his usual introverted nature showing in the way he spoke, as if the words were a little difficult to let out.

Roohi smiled back, the exhaustion from the night still lingering in her eyes. She sat down at the small dining table, taking the coffee Vivaan handed her. The warmth of the cup in her hands felt comforting, and she took a slow sip.

"Mmm," she said, a surprised look crossing her face. "This is the best coffee I’ve ever had."

Vivaan’s eyes widened a little, his usual self-consciousness creeping in. "I hope it tastes like something good," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, unsure if she was just being polite.

"It really does," Roohi replied with a smile, her eyes soft as she looked at him. There was something so sincere about his quiet demeanor, and she couldn't help but appreciate the simple gesture.

Vivaan cleared his throat, changing the subject. "Dadi messaged early this morning. She said there’s a ritual to be done today and tomorrow, so we’ll be staying there."

Roohi raised an eyebrow, curious. "What ritual?" she asked.

Vivaan shrugged, his expression uncertain. "I don’t know. But she didn’t give me any details." He glanced at her with a shy smile. "I guess we’ll find out when we get there."

Roohi nodded as they both finished their coffee and got ready to leave. After a quick shower and a change of clothes, they headed to Dadi’s house, both of them feeling a little excited and a little anxious about what the day would bring.

When they arrived, Dadi welcomed them warmly and immediately informed Roohi that today was her pehli rasoi ritual.

"Come, beta," Dadi said with a smile, leading Roohi to the kitchen. "You can cook whatever you wish. I’ll send Vivaan to help you. Meera and I will go get groceries. Take your time, and we’ll be back soon."

Roohi felt a little nervous. "I don’t know how to cook anything fancy," she muttered.

Dadi just laughed. "Cook whatever you can. It’s the thought that counts."

Vivaan followed her into the kitchen, a small frown on his face when he saw Roohi looking a little uncertain. "What happened? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost," he said softly, his voice gentle and full of concern.

Roohi sighed. "I just know how to make maggi and coffee," she admitted with a sheepish smile.

Vivaan blinked, then smiled warmly. "That’s a good start to cook," he said encouragingly. "So what’s your favorite breakfast dish?"

Roohi’s eyes lit up, a sparkle of excitement shining through as she answered, "Gajar ka halwa and chole bature."

Vivaan couldn’t help but admire the sudden glow on her face as she spoke about her favorites. It was endearing to see her so animated. "Gajar ka halwa and chole bature sounds perfect," he replied with a soft smile. "Let’s make that together."

Roohi blinked. "Really? But I don’t know where to start."

Vivaan’s reassuring smile deepened. "Don’t worry. I’ll handle most of it. You just help me with the easy parts."

They worked side by side, with Vivaan guiding her on small tasks while he prepared the main dishes. Roohi chopped vegetables and stirred the pot under his instructions, feeling a surprising sense of accomplishment as they worked together.

When the dishes were ready, Vivaan took a small spoonful of halwa and fed it to Roohi.

Her heart skipped a beat as his fingers lingered near her lips, and the warm, sweet taste of the halwa melted on her tongue. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, unexpected but unmistakable. The simple act of him feeding her felt oddly intimate, his gentle eyes watching her with quiet care.

"This is amazing," she said, her voice slightly breathless.

Vivaan tilted his head, a faint smile on his lips. "I had a great helper," he said softly, his tone full of quiet pride.

When Dadi and Meera returned, they were full of compliments. "This is wonderful, Roohi," Dadi said, her eyes sparkling. "You’ve done a great job."

Meera added, "You’re a chef in the kitchen!"

Dadi stepped forward and handed Roohi a small box. Inside were traditional glass bangles in vibrant colors. "A gift for you, beta," she said with a warm smile. "You’ve made this family happy today."

Roohi's eyes glistened with gratitude as she slipped the bangles onto her wrists, admiring their beauty.

Meera then approached with a neatly wrapped package. "And this is from me," she said, her tone playful but affectionate. Roohi opened it to find a sleek, elegant watch.

"It’s beautiful," Roohi said, beaming at both of them.

Dadi then turned to Vivaan, her tone playful. "You should gift her something too," she said, her eyes twinkling.

Vivaan’s face flushed slightly. "I’ll get something for her soon," he replied with a small, embarrassed smile. "I didn’t buy any gifts yet... But I will."

Later that night, Vivaan entered their room with a small box in hand. "Roohi," he said softly. "I’m sorry I didn’t know sooner that I should’ve gotten you something. But I have something for you now."

He handed her the box, and inside was an elegant, simple anklet. Roohi’s heart swelled as she looked at it, touched by the thoughtfulness of the gift.

"It’s beautiful," she said, her voice soft.

Vivaan hesitated. "Would you be comfortable if I... made you wear it?"

Roohi nodded, her heart racing. She stretched out her leg, and Vivaan gently took it in his hands, placing it on his lap. His fingers were careful as he slid the anklet onto her ankle, his touch gentle and steady. Roohi could feel the warmth of his hands, and something deep inside her stirred.

When he finished, he looked up at her, his eyes soft and filled with a quiet affection. "There," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It looks perfect."

Roohi smiled, her heart full. "It’s really beautiful. Thank you, Vivaan."

Vivaan took a deep breath, and in that soft moment, he leaned forward. His lips brushed gently against her feet, his kiss a quiet, tender promise. His heart spoke the words he couldn’t find: I will take care of you, cherish you, and be here for you.

Roohi’s breath hitched, her chest tightening as she felt the sincerity in his gesture. It was something she hadn’t expected, but it spoke volumes, wrapping her in a warmth that settled deep within her soul.

She looked at him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Vivaan. You’ve made this day so special."

Vivaan didn’t speak. Instead, he held her gaze for a moment, and without saying another word, he pulled her into his arms. They stood there for a while, wrapped in each other’s quiet comfort, the unspoken promise between them growing stronger with each passing moment.

As they finally drifted to sleep that night, the soft echo of his kiss lingered in her heart, a memory she would carry with her forever.